Endagered Species: Pen & Paper

Writing letters used to be commonplace, but in today's world of e-mail, actual paper and pen are almost extinct. So, I took out my fountain pen and ink and wrote my sister a letter. The experience of holding the pen and slowly forming the script on the paper was meditative. Everything slowed down, enabling me to be more contemplative and present. I think sometimes, I'm in such a rush to get an e-mail sent that I feel as though I'm just stating the facts and sometimes, not well.

I'm going to take it upon myself to write, long-hand more oftten and allow myself to the luxury of a moment.  Perhaps, this process will put me back in touch, more regularly.  I'll be sure to let you know and invite you to join me.
For my sister, Claudia:

http:www/pjcampbellwriter.com

Writer Today, Tomorrow and Everyday

I've been writing for over 40 years, starting with my teenage diary and now writing to help other writers to sell their books. I'm committed to helping other writers/authors spread the word about their craft.  We all know that it's not enough to write a great book; every author must figure out how to promote, publicize and speak about their books.

However, writers need to first make the commitment to themselves to be a writer 24/7, it's only then that you will find the strength that you will need to carry yourself through the journey of greeting the day, everyday knowing that you must also wear the hat of marketer, publicist and speaker.

Having the support of fellow writers is one way to help build your confidence and your stamina.

Thank you!
http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

Time For Everything

Is there enough time do everything you want to do? I always seem to feel that I don't have enough time to do all that needs to be done. And, yes, I've written about this before and obviously, it's something I'm still struggling with to get a handle on. So, today is a new day and I'm looking at my desk, literally and my computer desktop, e-mail, blogs, social networks and I'm feeling like I'm going to just have a meltdown.

I have to realize I am only one person and in this one life that I have, I need to also make time to chill-out, but when I do make time to chill-out, I feel guilty because I'm not producing. HELP! Okay, yes, I grew up with a guilt complex being Catholic, but at some point you have to let it go-right? Now, it really comes back to organizing my priorities. That's the real issue here.

I'm going to regroup this week and sort out my priorities. I know it will help me breathe a little easier. Any one have suggestions on how to do all that needs to be done in the given amount of time?

http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

This Week's Author Tips 7 & 8

Tip 7: What Is A “Pub Date/Window”?


• A “pub date” is the official release and distribution of your book across the country (U.S.).

• Media exposure begins in alignment with your publication date as well as any events that are scheduled.

• The publisher wants to ensure that the book will be available to customers when the media begins to hit, otherwise, if the media is happening prior to the book’s availability in the stores, there’s the chance that the media’s mention, the interviews, and other publicity, will not do its job of driving traffic to purchase books.

o It depends on where the publisher’s warehouse (distribution center) is located, but it can take up to three weeks for the book to be fully dispersed from coast to coast from the time your book lands in the distribution center to the time it reaches the retail outlets.

• The “pub window” (usually three months from the pub date) is the time that the publisher puts its attention on garnering press, speaking appearances and promotion.

• Most of the press attention will likely take place in the first six weeks after the book’s release. Although, I have witnessed books earning media attention a year or two after they have been released because someone of notoriety such as Oprah, promotes the book. It’s as if the book was just made public

o This happened with Eckhart Tolle’s book, A NEW EARTH. The book was published in 2005, but in March of 2008, Oprah selected this title to do a webcast event with the author, Tolle. The book became an overnight bestseller!

• The publisher will not continue their focus on titles much beyond this pub window because of all the new releases (over 225,000 books release each year through traditional publishers) and for that matter, the press is typically only interested in a title when it first hits the market. Again, there are a few exceptions to this rule.



Tip 8: The Publicist Is No Longer With My Publisher

Unfortunately, this happens and as the author there really isn’t a whole lot you can do about it. The publisher is providing a service and you need to trust their judgment that the publicist’s replacement assigned to your book is competent and will do a great job pitching your book to the press.

• You can make your concerns known to your editor to ensure they are in the loop; that way they will be monitoring the new publicist’s efforts.

• Set up an appointment with the new publicist to acquaint them with you and your book. You know your book better than anyone does and the publicist has much to gain by connecting with you, as you do.

• The publicist’s position is regarded as an integral part if not the biggest part of the book campaign, make every effort to align yourself with him/her, offer your assistance. Avail yourself whenever possible for interviews as this will further your chances of more.

• The publisher wants to do their best in representing your title as it’s in their best interest, too.

• One of the hardest things to do, as an author, is to “let go” and trust that the publisher knows the marketplace and how to generate maximum media coverage for your book and at the same time, sustain a “watchful eye.”

One Day At A Time

Sometimes I overwhelm myself with all that I know that I want and need to do.  I have to remember to take a deep breath and keep it all in perspective.  While working on my next book proposal I'm reminded that I would like to hire an assistant who could be implementing all the tips, tricks and tactics I'm learning for my previous book and the next one.  There's so much an author can and should do to promote, publicize and pitch their book/s that I do begin to hyper-ventilate when I realize that I haven't yet scratched the surface of what can be done to spread the word about my book and to increase sales. And it's about that time that I realize how important it is that I finish my research, at least enough so that I can finish the book so other authors can put the information to use for their own books.

So, I've got to go back to reading/researching so I can finish the next book. I know this one is needed as there isn't anything like it available and it will be the best resource guide for new and proven authors to reach the greatest number of potential readers for their books.
http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

Writing To Live

Living to write and writing to live...interchangeable thoughts, both achieve a similar result-writing.  However, Writing to Live, is like eating to live, instead of living to eat? NO. Writing to live denotes that I have no life unless I'm writing; it's like breathing, just can't really have a quality life unless I'm writing. Living to eat will make me fat and that's no quality of life for me.  At this stage, I'm happy to be blogging daily, journaling and working on my next book. Are there other things I would like to be writing? You bet! And that will come and this is where I am right now. I'm grateful for all of it.
http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

Writer Envy

Do you ever get jealous of other authors? Not just the bestselling authors, but what about the authors who are just hard at working doing their craft and making a living writing? Well, I have to be honest, I do get envious. I want to know what they're doing and how they're doing it so I can do it, too. It's not brain surgery, I don't think, but it does require discipline, good writing (not necessaryily great writing) and a willingness and know-how to promote yourself.

When I think about authors I would like to emulate I think of Elizabeth Gilbert and Jeanette Wells. They were, virtually, unknowns before their books and now, they are considered great successes with their first book. How did they do it? What did they do that I could copy? I'm on a mission to discover their process along with other authors who are similar and to mirror their process.

Tony Robbins, whom I have followed for many years, as well as other master teachers of accomplishing great things in your life, demonstrates by his own life that  mimicking success will, if done with passion and conviction, bring similar results to you.

I'm on a quest to make the writing life, fulltime. What are you willing to do to create a successful writing career? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

21 Days To A New Writer?

It's been said that it takes 21 days to break a pattern and/or establish a new one. Well, I'm in day 4 of establishing a new pattern of writing everyday.  I'm well into my next book's research with two and half books yet to go, four books read and outlined, so by the end of 21 days, I will have the rest of the books read. The submission process is still in progress, but I do have my proposal pretty well positioned and I'm working on perfecting it. Within the next three to four months I will have a contract.

So, what's next? Keep on reading and taking notes.  This is going to be the very best book for all writers who are fairly "green" when it comes to how the world-wide-web can help them to be the next best-selling author.

As soon as I'm at the stage of writing the book, itself, I will invite others to participate and submit ideas.

More to come and remember to keep on writing.

http:www/pjcampbellwriter.com

Writing As A Career

Okay, I never thought I could actually make a living with my writing, but I'm beginning to see that it is quite possible.  Now, that my first book is well underway, launched six months ago and the sales are steady. I'm pitching my next book for publication this year. I know it can happen with perserverance, focus and belief in myself. I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it. So, then, I'm writing my way to the top and the bottom of each page of my life.

What will I write about?  The writing life, how to market/publicize writers' work, children's tales, women's issues and more. I'm just so happy to be able to write and share with others. I hope my writing will help other writers to believe in themselves.

http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

365 Days Of Writing... Are You Up For The Challenge?

Ok, I admit, that making a commitment to writing, daily is a BIG one, but let's just do our best and maybe, just maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised.

I'm writing everyday, it may not be hours, it may only be 10 minutes, but I'm committed to writing (breathing) everyday in 2010.

Join me?

When Is A Writer An Author?

A writer is an author all the time, but the one distinction, I believe, is putting your writing out for all to read. I believe that as long as you write and don't share your writing, you're still a writer, but you become an author when you decide to take the risk of sharing your writing with others.   By allowing others to experience your work you open yourself up to comments, criticism, and input-some of which is all good and can improve you as a writer.

I encourage you to take a chance.  Writing in "full view" can be easily achieved by simply creating a blog, journaling or more. What you may discover could change and improve your writing beyond what you even dreamed possible.

http://www.pjcampbellwriter.com/

Writers' Tips! Happy New Year! 4th Week Give-Away

Tip 5: Should I Hire My Own PR Agent?


• Hiring your own publicist to focus on your title can significantly facilitate the exposure of your book to the media.

• Even though the publisher will provide some publicity support for your book, keep in mind that the publicist assigned by the publisher will also have other titles he/she is responsible for which cuts into the amount of time actually devoted to your title.

• There are a number of incentives for hiring your own publicist:

o Contracting an outside publicist, will give increased attention solely on your book, and accessibility to the publicist.

o You can more readily dictate the course of action you wish the publicist to follow.

o The publicist will be liable to the terms and goals you both have contractually agreed upon for your book’s publicity.

o The PR firm may have connections the publisher does not have.

o You can establish the length of time you wish the publicist to allot attention to your book. As long as you’re willing to pay, he/she will keep pitching, provided it makes sense and produces desired results.



In a study conducted by Mike Schultz, publisher of RainToday.com, a company that works with professionals to help them market their services, said the key finding of the report is the payoff that comes to authors who invest their own funds in promoting a book. The study found that 51% of the 200 authors who took part in the survey used their own money to back their book, with the median investment $4,500. The form of the investment typically involved hiring a marketing or public relations firm, and the impact these companies had on a book’s sales is significant.



Comparing the average response, the study found that authors who had outside help sold 10,000 copies of their first book and earned royalties of $55,000, compared to 4,500 copies sold and royalties of $25,000 for authors who depended solely on the efforts of their publishers. Excerpted, Publishers Weekly, April 24, 2006 by Jim Milliot.



Here are a few reputable PR contacts that I can personally, recommend:



• http://authorbuzz.com/ offers authors a reasonable package deal for their services and has a proven track record.

• www.kruppkommunications.com based in New York City, is a dynamic public relations firm, specializing in the creation of bulls-eye publicity for Authors, Celebrities, Entertainers CEOs and Corporations.

•



Tip 6: How To Choose The Right Publicist or Public Relations Firm For Your Book



The best place to start is to ask your publisher for recommendations. Tell your editor what your budgeting for publicity and they’ll be able to refer you to several publicists and/or public relations’ firms.



If you still don’t have anyone who fits your budget or meets your expectations with a strong publicity plan, contact the writers’ conferences, other writers, writers’ associations or research the Internet. Believe me, there are a slew of publicists out there that would be thrilled to work on your book, however the “right” publicist is the ONLY one you want.



To know what to expect from the publicist or public relations firm you are hiring, have them submit a publicity plan based on your book, along with a list of references. Their plan should include:

• the media they intend to pitch

• the length of time they will devote to publicizing your book

• number of media hits or likely number they will achieve

• a press release (electronic and hard copy)

• length of time and fee structure of their involvement



If you’re hiring a firm, request specifically, who in the firm will be your contact and responsible for driving publicity on your behalf. It’s important to build a good working relationship with your publicist; the more they can understand your book and you, the better they will be at pitching and booking the media.



Updates on the publicist’s progress can be weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly and so on, depending on the terms of your contract. They need to submit to you an accounting of everyone (media sources and dates) they have contacted and the responses they have received. However, don’t count on the publicist revealing the “names” of their contacts at the various media outlets as these are, in most cases, proprietary. They will want to protect their relationships.



Of course, the Internet is a great source if you want to throw a wide net in your search for the appropriate publicist or firm to hire, but be sure to ask for references and proof of their claims to garner publicity for your book.



Whether you choose to employ your own publicist, do the publicity yourself or not, consider, first if the publisher is providing publicity support for your book. Most titles will get a minimum of a press release and submission to local and/or national media. The amount of publicity attention the publisher will give you is determined by the forecasted unit sales (copies) for your book. If your title is considered an ‘A’ level release then you will get full-court press in the way of publicity attention from their in-house publicity department. If your title falls in the mid-to-low range of releases then you will get the minimum attention. If your book is the latter, then you may benefit from hiring your own publicist.



Meet with and interview possible public relations firms and freelance publicists. Consult with your publisher for recommendations. Depending on the cost involved, it may be beneficial for you to hire a private publicist versus a public relations’ firm as you will get individual attention and the cost will be substantially less, overall. Require references from whomever you decide to sign with for your publicity campaign and conduct a thorough reference check.



Many PR firms and individual publicists specialize in particular areas of the book genre market. It can be advantageous to hire someone who has an established reputation with the media relating to your title’s specific nature, as they can more easily access the right media contacts.

• If you’re a culinary author, you don’t want to hire a publicist whose area of focus has been predominantly in the business category or vice versa.

• The public relations firm and/or the individual publicist needs to be able to effectively layout a publicity campaign for your book and give examples of other successful book launches that they have done in the past.

• Accessing their past clients is a great way of authenticating the publicist’s or PR firm’s claims of placements and successes. They ought to be able to supply you with referrals that you can speak and/or e-mail, directly.

• Book publicity is an entirely different skill set than other types of publicity. While publicists have similar attributes, it behooves you to engage a “book” publicist or public relations firm. Just ask yourself, would you go to a general teacher to learn mathematics or would you go to a Mathematician? They both know how to teach and know about math, but who is the expert? That’s who you want to handle your book campaign. You may only have this one chance, are you going to waste your time and money working with someone who is adequate or the best? You decide.

Writers' Tips! Happy Holidays! 3rd Week Give-Away

Tip 3: Hire Yourself To Do PR




Another approach may be to do your own thing. Tireless self-promotion can generate attention for your title and get the desired outcome you seek. This won’t be free, but it will be less money than hiring someone to work on your behalf. The biggest cost factor will be your time.



This is the time to pool your resources and call in favors from friends, family and associates. If you have people whom you can delegate tasks, you’ll cover a lot more ground than on your own; even if you have five people to do one thing on your list, that’s five less things you have to do yourself.



• Elements of A Press Release/Kit:

o Your personal/company stationary or letterhead

o Immediate release date

o Contact information: Whom do you want the press to contact for interviews or more information?

o Title, ISBN, Retail Price, Publisher, Date of Publication (2-3 weeks after warehouse receipt)

o Author Bio

o Synopsis of the book

o Table of Contents

o Highlight key items (Does your book profess 10 easy steps to…? Does the protagonist transform his/her life? How?

o Include a sample chapter

o A prior speaking schedule, if you have one, or an upcoming potential speaking agenda will be beneficial, reinforcing your commitment to the sale of the book. This will also act as social proof for the demand of your message and/or book.

o If you’ve written other books, list them and mention any favorable reviews or endorsements.

o DVD of TV interviews or speaking engagements

o Have you written any articles, essays, op-eds? Have you been interviewed by any print outlets on the topic of your book or a previous book? If so, include a sampling.

o Most media outlets will accept an electronic press release or press kit (EPK), but be sure to check.

o Sending a hard copy back up along with the actual book will facilitate attention and give you another reason to follow-up.

• Hiring someone to write your press materials:

o You may wish to consider hiring someone to write a press release for you, if this is not, something that you feel you can do well enough.

 Most publicists would be happy to do this for a fee. Scan the Web and I’m sure you’ll find someone capable.

• Distribution of your press release to the media:

o Start by contacting all the local media. This includes local television stations, cable television, radio, newspapers, and magazines.

o You can find a listing of all of these outlets by searching the Internet (ie: http://www.mylongisland.com/media).

o Once you’ve made contact and have been directed as to how to submit a press release or book an interview, you’re on your way to building a “grass-roots” campaign.



• Timing is everything, as it seems, in all of life and pitching your book to the media is no different.

o Who are you targeting? Print (magazines, newspapers), TV (local, cable or national), Radio (local, public, sponsored, national), Internet (bloggers, specific sites, other social media outlets)-they all have precise timing protocols.

• Print:

o Long lead magazines work six-nine months out. If your book is releasing in May and it’s perfect for a Christmas oriented publication, you need to approach the magazine in March or April, at the latest.

o Newspapers work on a shorter lead-time, just by shear nature of the production of their product. That said, allow at least a month or more for local papers and a few months for national papers.

• Broadcast TV

o Depending on the show, plan on pitching at least two-three months prior to publication.

o Local or cable shows, have a much shorter lead time and may offer to interview you with a month’s notice.

o It’s a challenge getting national media attention, but if you don’t ask, you’ll never know. Contact the shows’ producers that have a “fit” with your book’s subject matter. Utilize the same method of contacting, as you will with the local media.

• Radio

o Radio stations can respond even faster than TV. Plan to contact them, though, at least a month in advance.

• Internet

o While the Internet is instantaneous, again it will depend on who you are pitching. If it’s a blogger, a site or other social media outlet-they all have their own specific criteria for interviews and mentions.

• Hiring someone who has an extensive, targeted media list for your topic may prove to be very sensible and one who will distribute your press release:

o PRW http://www.press-release-writing.com/content-basics.htm, has an excellent reputation. They also provide handy guidelines for writing your own press release and have sample releases on their site.

o Today, many PR agencies are using RSS feeds. Look into http://www.pr.com/rss-feeds for more information on this process.

• If you’d rather distribute the press release yourself, explore some of the media resources, below. There is a fee for access, but one national media hit may pay for itself in book sales.

o www.us.cision.com

o www.MediaContactsPro.com

o www.tvaproductions.com/html/mediaoutlets

o www.burrellesluce.com

• Indirect Means of Securing Media Attention:

o There are circuitous ways of generating publicity that include appearances at your local bookstores, schools, libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, day-care centers, churches and just about anywhere you can create a “story” that ties-into your book’s topic. Be creative, think outside the pages, send an e-mail “news alert” to the local press about your upcoming appearances. (Be sure to get permission from the hosting venue prior to contacting the press, some may not allow media on the premises.)



Tip 4: Media Response Expectations

o Bear in mind, there are hundreds of thousands of books published annually and all are seeking some publicity support. Be patient, as your press recipient is overwhelmed with submissions. If you maintain consistent, gentle follow-up, chances are you will receive a response and possibly a favorably one at that.

o One way to cut through the slush pile and rise to the top is to have a “news” tie-in with your book. As we said before; the media is looking to build a story so they can maintain their followers.

o Let’s say, you’ve sent your EPK out and breaking news happens that directly correlates with the topic or subject matter of your book. Contact the press immediately and flag your book as a MUST read, now. They and you will be happy you did.



Good or bad, press is usually good, as it spreads the word about your book like wildfire. The saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” In addition, the most amazing thing about all publicity is it’s FREE!